Daily Tip: Use the SitecoreInstaller to create quick Sitecore instances including modules

As Solution Architect a part of my job is doing product demo’s and building Proof Of Concepts. The best way for me is to build stuff based on a clean install of Sitecore with the involved modules installed (like DMS, SES or ECM). Normally you will do this with the default Sitecore installer and manually install the modules you need, but this will take to much of your precious time.

With the  SitecoreInstaller you can install Sitecore with selected modules in one click.

How to use the Sitecore Installer?

There are two things you need to do for the SitecoreInstaller:

  • Create the build library
  • Download and configure the SitecoreInstaller

Create the build library

The build library is where the tool stores files needed for installation such as Sitecore versions, licenses and modules.  And has the following structure:

  • <PathToBuildLibrary>\Licenses
  • <PathToBuildLibrary>\Sitecore
  • <PathToBuildLibrary>\Modules

Read all the information on the projectpage on codeplex:
http://sitecoreinstaller.codeplex.com/wikipage?title=Build library

Download and configure the SitecoreInstaller

  1. Download the Sitecore Installer from Codeplex
    http://sitecoreinstaller.codeplex.com/
  2. Extract the .zip and open the SitecoreInstaller.exe
    Sitecore Installer
  3. First time a configuration wizard will open, insert your SQL credentials
    Sitecore SQL setting
  4. Next step is to select your Build Library folder.

Sitecore Build Library

Run the SitecoreInstaller

By default the SitecoreInstaller runs in a “User friendly” mode, with wizard functionality.

Sitecore Installer example

I’m not that fan of the wizard. But locally you can set the Installer in a more advance mode by selecting View –> Use Developer layout and View –> Show Advanced View.

Sitecore Advance settings

This will give you a great all-in-one interface. Where you can give your install a name, select the CMS version and modules and install with one click.

Sitecore module installer

All credits go to Rasmus Rasmussen for creating and sharing this great tool!

Daily Tip: Great tool the Sitecore Log Analyzer

Did you hear of the Sitecore Log Analyzer? The Sitecore Log Analyzer is a great tool. It does what the name claims; It will help you analyze your log files!

A short list of some great features:

  • Quick analyze of all log files in a directory
  • Date and string filter

Sitecore Log Analyzer Date Filter

  • Tabs for the different categories; Messages, Audit and Health Monitor
  • Filters for log levels; Errors, Warnings and Info’s

Sitecore Log Analyzer Categories Error Warning Info

  • Log entries sorted on number of occurrences

Sitecore Log Analyzer Sorting

  • Timeline overview of the (filtered) log entries

Sitecore Log Analyzer Timeline overview

  • Great statistics 🙂

Sitecore Log Analyzer Statistics

Go ahead and download the Log Analyzer from SDN and analyze you’re log files on a regular basis:
http://sdn.sitecore.net/resources/tools/log%20analyzer/download.aspx

Happy Analyzing,
Pieter